Emily Scarratt has decided to retire from playing rugby after a distinguished 17-year international career. The 35-year-old England centre, who earned 119 caps and won two World Cups, will now channel her expertise into coaching and mentoring roles at both club and international level.
Scarratt’s career began in 2008 and encompassed some of the most successful years in English rugby. She contributed to 11 Six Nations title victories and became the first and only English player to compete in five World Cups. At club level, she represented Lichfield and Loughborough Lightning, and she’ll remain with Loughborough as an assistant coach for the upcoming season.
The retiring centre finishes as England’s all-time leading points-scorer with 754, a record that reflects both her longevity and her ability to deliver in crucial moments. She also ranks third all-time in caps and tries for the Red Roses, demonstrating her comprehensive contributions. In 2019, her sustained excellence earned her the World Rugby Player of the Year award.
Scarratt’s finest tournament came in 2014, when she dominated the Rugby World Cup. She was named player of the final and topped the scoring charts with 70 points, delivering consistently brilliant performances that helped England win the championship. At the recent 2025 World Cup, she made one substitute appearance against the USA in the tournament opener.
Her talents weren’t limited to 15-a-side rugby. Scarratt captained Great Britain’s sevens team at the 2016 Rio Olympics to fourth place and won a Commonwealth Games bronze with England sevens in 2018. She has accepted a specialist coaching and mentoring role with the RFU, where she’ll help develop future players. In her retirement announcement, she expressed pride in witnessing women’s rugby’s professionalization and excitement about remaining involved in shaping the sport’s future.